or·na·men·tal
ˌȯr-nə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
specifically
: grown as an ornamental
: a decorative object
especially
: a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use
Synonyms
Examples of ornamental in a Sentence
Adjective
The garden has many ornamental shrubs.
the trim on Victorian houses is sometimes elaborately ornamental
Noun
The garden has many beautiful ornamentals.
a collection of fragile ornamentals kept in a glass cabinet
Recent Examples on the Web
Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024
Even the tree's putrid aroma emitted at full-bloom hasn't kept it from becoming a go-to ornamental option for developers and landscapers for decades.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental 
Adjective
Criss Crossing America to Visit Every Baseball Stadium The nearly 82-foot ornamental chancel rug was commissioned by King Charles X in 1825 and offered to the Notre Dame upon its completion by King Louis-Philippe.
—Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024
Even the tree's putrid aroma emitted at full-bloom hasn't kept it from becoming a go-to ornamental option for developers and landscapers for decades.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ornamental
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ornamental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ornamental
Cite this Entry
“Ornamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornamental. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ornamental
1 of 2 adjective
or·na·men·tal
ˌȯr-nə-ˈment-ᵊl
: of, relating to, or serving as ornament
ornamental
2 of 2 noun
: a decorative object
especially
: a plant cultivated for its beauty rather than for use
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